A 600-foot section of the bridge’s new truss will be lifted onto temporary piers.

Andrea Clifford with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says the section, weighing more than 1,700 tons, was constructed on a nearby barge

“They will actually float it out onto the water on the barges near the temporary piers that have been constructed. And once they have it out on the water, they will connect it to the jacking mechanism that is going to lift it 85 feet into the air onto those temporary piers,” she said.

The existing bridge connecting Milton, Kentucky and Madison, Indiana will remain open during the process.

Eventually, the entire truss will be placed on temporary piers, then slid onto the old bridge’s piers, which are being strengthened.

Replacement of the 83 year old Milton-Madison Bridge is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2013.